Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Each year in the month of December, downtown OKC sets up "the nation's largest man made snow tubing slope" in Bricktown Ballpark. For several years we have wanted to try it out, so this year we did. We met my sister Amanda and her two girls. Tab's friend Jessica is still in town, so this was a first for the native Floridian. I guess it was for the native Okies as well. You pay for an hour and a half session and can ride as many times as you can. The lines were long so it only ended up being three times, but they had fun anyway.

Don't have time to pose, gotta get back in line!

While we were downtown we stopped at Bass Pro Shop to find Elijah some waterproof hiking boots. He and his daddy are going on a camp out this weekend in Northwest Arkansas. All he has are tennis shoes, so we figured he may need something else. They are his favorite color, cammo.

Red Head Cub II

Tomorrow night I will be taking Tabitha and three of her friends to an OKC Thunder game. They are on a 4 game win streak, so we hope it extends to 5. Hopefully one of my friends will be able to go with us, I don't want to be the only adult!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Just as a blizzard is a once in 20 year event here in central Oklahoma, the fact that the snow is still around in large quantities is also rare. Our average high temperature for December runs around 47 degrees. So you can see that when snow does fall, it doesn't have much of a chance to stick around. Since Xmas eve the daytime temps have been hovering around 37 degrees, still above freezing, but it takes most of the day to get there and then as soon as the sun sets, the temp goes below freezing again and pretty quickly. New ice every morning. We also have around 10 inches of snow that fell. That helps to keep the temps down and just the sheer amount makes it harder to melt off. Our roads are fairly clear, and we even went to the mall yesterday, along with everyone else in the OKC metro area! Cabin fever and after Xmas sales have called to the masses.

We couldn't see the retaining wall a few days ago!

I got my tires. I could tell the difference immediately. They handled the snow much better than the other ones. They are quiet too. Something about the tread on the old ones, but they were just loud. I didn't need to crank up the radio to hear it.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

I know how to find what size of tire I need for my car by looking at the actual tire. There are numbers written all over, so it can be a little confusing, but I know how to tell the size. My husband wasn't so sure of my ability, so naturally he questioned me when I told him the size I needed. "There's no way you have 16" tires on that car." So, actually it was more of a statement. I told him I was sure and had even checked it online. So out in the freezing morning air he went to check for himself. I was right! Of course, I always am, so I'm not sure why he was surprised. After 20 years of marriage you think he would know that by now. So, tomorrow it looks like I will be going to get tires.

Oh, I was surprised too at the size of the tires, this makes them about $40 more per tire than what I expected to have to pay.

For those of you who may not know how to read you tires, here you go. Thanks walmart.com!

Here in Oklahoma we rarely get blizzard type weather, unless you live in the panhandle. Well we got one yesterday. We ended up with at least 10 inches of snow, though it's hard to tell for sure because the wind was blowing steady at 30 mph and gusting to 60 at times. The last time we got snow like this was Jan 1988. A long time! I love it!

Snowing!

Elijah

Now I hate that the people who don't have sense enough to stay off the roads and then they get stuck or run off the roads, get that way. I really hate that there were people who died in this because of carelessness. You see, it happens so rarely here that people just don't know how to handle it. It did come at a bad time for most. It was Christmas Eve and people "had" to go and get those last minute gifts. People really did need t be picked up at the airport, I'll give you that one, but now the road to airport is so congested with cars that are off the road or stuck that they can't clear it until they get the wreckers in to move the cars. That is bad for us. Tabitha's friend is flying in from Florida today and we need to be able to pick her up. Good thing her flight doesn't get in until 4 p.m. Welcome to Oklahoma Jessie!

This one set records!

Our neighbor is out clearing the road with his backhoe. I think I might just take him some Irish coffee.

Our neighbor!

Jessica is a hoot by the way. She visited last winter and we went snowboarding. It was the first time that she had seen snow in person. She has yet to actually see it snow. We are supposed to get more Tuesday. She said she was bringing a jacket, good thing Tabitha has an extra coat she could wear.

Jessica and Tabitha. Sipapu, NM

Well, I'd better finish cleaning the house before she gets here. We also have people coming for a dessert party tomorrow night and I have one more dessert to make. Should be fun, if people can get here.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Well, the Murphy oil soap worked. Crayon is out and no oil stains on the clothes! I wonder if it will work as well for red crayon on light colored clothing? Not really willing to test that one out.

The ducks are doing fine. Still have six of them and we haven't trapped any other animals. It's hard to believe that it may have been that stupid cat. Our cat is smart, he didn't even mess with them when they were ducklings.

My foot is barely numb these days. My back and leg feel better than they have in almost 18 months!! That's great! Being diabetic, the last thing I need is any extra nerve damage to my feet.

School seems to be going well for our son. Instead of just telling him "Good job.", when he has a good day, we have implemented a reward system. He gets points for having good days and these points earn rewards. From ice cream dates and Xbox time, to a BB gun. He really wants the BB gun and he's not been able to play Xbox for a couple of weeks, so his attitude seems to have improved greatly. Hopefully he'll make it through this year and we'll see about next year.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

These past two weeks, it seems, if it hasn't been one thing, it's been another. I washed school uniform pants and skirts this evening. All are navy blue. I also threw in a pair of gray slacks that I had just bought myself last week. I checked all the pockets, because anyone who has little boys knows, they put all sort of things in those pockets. After pulling out tissues, crumpled notebook paper, candy wrappers, and a rock out of my son's pockets, I threw them in. Wash, dry, iron, hang up. Nope, just the first two. I pulled my slacks out first. "What is all this on my pants?", I wonder. Next I pull out a pair of school pants, same thing. Then a skirt. UGH! Item after item has little dandelion yellow spots all over.

Now we all know, clothes are not cheap these days. I also hate to buy clothes for myself because of trying it on, nothing fits, doesn't look right, whatever. I also hate to spend money on things that are usually priced several times what they are worth. My new pants!

Google "Crayon removal" and you get about 1/2 a million hits. Great, I really want to scour through these to find a decent solution. Several sounded good, but most involved WD-40. I really didn't want to spray oil all over my clothes. As fate, luck, whatever you want to call it, would have it, this afternoon I had just bought some Murphy oil soap. It plainly says on the label to not use on waxed floors or woodwork and that it was safe to use on fabric stains. I'm using it and so far it seems to be working. The crayon-wax-is coming out of the fabric. Now I just have rewash everything. I'll let you know how everything does. If it works I'll tell you just how I did it.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Something is killing my ducks. We think it is a raccoon. Now, since this is happening at night, we have a couple of options to weigh. Do we sit up and wait for the critter and shoot it, or do we set a live trap for it and get some sleep? I don't know about you, but I need my sleep. Forget being humane, I need sleep.

Last night we set the trap. Some 50 cent sardines make nice bait. Before 9 p.m. we had something! Jeff went to check the trap. Just a cat. Not our cat, we had locked him in the shop so he wouldn't get in the trap, rendering it useless until we could get him out. Just a stray from the neighborhood. Now, that may sound pretty, well, "So you caught a cat in a trap with sardines for bait. So what?" I'll tell "So what". This cat has to be the biggest freakin' cat I've ever seen. Now my cat is a pretty good sized fella, but this guy, his head was the size of, well, a 1/2 pood kettle bell (trust me, for a cat head that's pretty big.) I'll bet he weighed 1/2 pood too! Okay, for those not in the know, a pood is approximately 32 pounds, it;s a Russian measurement for weight. If you're from Britain, he probably weighed around 1 stone (14 lbs). I digress. Anyway, he was huge and probably quite capable of doing in one of my ducks. These aren't cute little ducks either. They are Pekins and they usually weigh in around 10 lbs. (That's around 10 lbs in the US. HEEHEE) The trap is back out and awaiting another critter. The cat won't be back, sorry.

Tonight as I go to bed I have six Pekins left. Hopefully tomorrow I will still have six.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

All parents want the very best for their children. From the very materialistic of wanting them to have the toys they want to have, and wearing the cutest clothes, to getting the best education that is available to them. Many things are easy to categorize as to whether they are indeed good for your children or not. Some things are a little more difficult to discern. Common sense will tell you that Grand Theft Auto 4 is not appropriate for a 7 year-old (or anyone for that matter), but what about Crash Bandicoot? The occasional indulgence of a piece of candy or some fabulous dessert should be fine, but they don't need to eat a quart of Ben and Jerry's. Moms, feel free to do this for yourself if needed. Those things are simple and really don't matter much in the long run. What about that education though?

This past fall we stopped home schooling out two children. Our daughter wanted to go to school for her senior year. She had applied to a private school run by our church and was accepted. Since she was going to be attending there, we also enrolled our son. He is in first grade. She is doing wonderful and really excelling. Her work ethnic has become more structured, she is part of the school newspaper, singing in the choir, and making great grades. She is flourishing in the classroom but also with her peers. She is enjoying it and I am very happy with how she has grow-up over these past few months. With her, we feel this was absolutely the right decision.

That leaves our son. Not to be partial or to brag, but he is amazingly intelligent so is our daughter). He learned to read when he was 4. It took about two weeks and he was easily reading "Little Critter" books to us with very little help. He is now 7. He has read the entire Little House Series, most Hank the Cowdog books, The Black Stallion series and one of Steven Hawkings's book for kids. My 7 year-old has read Steven Hawkings! When we started home school with him, we started him in 1st grade. He was not quite 5. He knew all the kindergarten material already. The next year we did 1st grade again. This time is was just a more structured curriculum than it had been the year before. He excelled. I didn't want to move him along to much, I'm not one of those who wants her child graduating college before they hit puberty, but I didn't hold back either. When we enrolled him at school, we were told that they felt it was best to stay with his age group, than to allow him to go on into second grade, so for a third year in a row, he is working first grade material. Now it is December, and I am second guessing myself. It seems our son's greatest ambition is to be the class clown. This past week has been a very trying week. After trouble earlier in the year with someone in his class bullying him, and him not standing for it, twice, playing to rough, and being too silly in class, he has decided it is his duty to make people laugh. We were called to the school for the incidents with the bully. We let him know that if we were called back to the school for any reason, he was finished and we would again home school him. Well, this week it happened. We took him out. What started out with silliness, became disobedience. That we won't tolerate. The school asked that we at least let him finish the semester. After 2 1/2 days at home, we sent him back. The next two days he was again in trouble. Now what? There is a week until winter break. If he messes up again before then, it is ours and the school's decision that he won't go back after the break. What really bothers me it that it is stupid little things he's doing. Making faces at people, sticking a pencil up his nose, throwing a Ziploc baggie of celery at his friend (who threw it back). He's been labeled an instigator (He didn't start the bullying incidents). Now every little thing he does may be grounds for expulsion, but it will definitely get him back home. I really only want the very best for him and right now I just don't know what that is.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

I love date nights! Sometimes it's actually date breakfast or lunch, but I love them! It's been a few weeks since we've had one, but that is probably more than most people. get to have. Where should we go, what should we do? Doesn't really matter. It's just great to get to spend time talking to an adult and doing adult things! Now maybe you don't go on dates with your spouse because of money issues. No worries. Fix a nice little meal (or snack) and go somewhere to enjoy it. We have a great back deck on our house and it has been the site of several great date nights. We send the kids somewhere and just enjoy the evening. We've even gone grocery shopping for date night. Okay, that one wasn't the most fun I'd ever had on a date, but it was time we were "alone". We actually talked about some pretty important things during that date. So here is a list of things you can do on a date. Some are more pricey or involved than others, but they have all worked for us.

Easy dates (that sounds a little risque')
Movies-at home PPV or at the movies. Here's a hint, go see the occasional shoot 'em up movie with him and ask him to see the occasional chick flick with you. The Blindside was great for both! Make some great popcorn!

Dinner-a no brainer, but go somewhere you've never been and try something new, go before the movie, you'll spend about the same on food and it will be much more satisfying!

Work-out Do you have a gym membership? Use it together them relax in the sauna room or whirlpool later

Sporting events-I love sports so this works great for both of us.

Museums

State or national parks-stay a weekend. Many of them have great lodges. If you like to camp take the tent. We camped on our honeymoon and a few of our anniversaries.

Spa day-Okay, maybe he won't go for a facial or manicure but who couldn't do with a great massage? Many places offer couple specials. (Maybe that's what we need to do, my back could sure use it!)

If your first date was a disaster, redo it. Something kept you together, just try to leave out the things that made it the disaster and replace it with something different.

If your first date was the best ever, redo it. So what if you were 16 and you went to the drive through at McDonald's then dragged Main until 1 in the morning. Do it again!

HAVE A DATE NIGHT WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE THAT IS FUN. Romance is great, but I'd rather laugh and have a great time!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I normally don't mind the cold. Of course I don't like it when it's 10 degrees for several days in a row. In Oklahoma that is usually accompanied by strong winds so it feels more like -10. This week has had several days and nights of below average temperatures and I'm just tired of it already. Now to put this in some perspective, a normal high around this time of year is 50. It's been in the 30's and in the mornings the lows have been in the teens. The next few days are supposed to be warmer, I hope so at least.

I think maybe I've become somewhat of a whiner in the last week. I'm ready to get out and do something!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Well, just went out to gather eggs. None from the ducks, just two from the chickens and my rooster is dead. Oh well, I guess at least I wasn't getting eggs from him in the first place. I think I'm just about ready to get rid off all but a few chickens and ducks. They would be much less of a hassle to deal with. What I'm really saying is I'm ready to go snowboarding. Of course I can barely walk right now and my foot is still numb, but a girl can dream can't she?

I'm feeling rather gripey right now. I think my pain pill is wearing off. Maybe I just a Pamprin. Who knows! I also just want something really good for dinner, but I don't want to cook, go out, or clean up. I guess that leaves me with not eating. Coffee's always good.

Monday, December 14, 2009

An hour ago it was 55 degrees, now it it 32. It changed very quickly. I went out to feed my chickens and ducks and it was cool. I was in a t-shirt and my boxers (TMI?), anyway that took all of about 7 minutes and by the time I was finished I was freezing. Almost literally.

The great thing is, I was out of the house. Since the whole back issue last week, I have not been outside. We just had two gorgeous days of weather, yesterday it got to 70 ad there was very little wind. It's 32 right now and temps are expected to fall through the day. That's Oklahoma for ya! Will Rogers once said "If you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a minute, it will change." He wasn't just making that up. Looks like it will be soup today. That's fine with me!

I have absolutely nothing profound to say today. Not that I do on any day actually. I am happy that my back seems to be getting better. I had an adjustment yesterday. The pain is basically gone, but my foot is still numb. That's a little annoying, but better than the pain. Guess I'll go read a little now, just one of those days. Stay warm and have some soup!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Well, it's been 4 days since my back went out on me. i can get around at least, but my leg feels like dead weight I'm dragging along. My foot is numb and feels like I'm walking on a sausage about to burst out of its casing. I'm just glad it doesn't look like it feels. Hoping to get an inversion table today or tomorrow and see if that helps any. It's been bad enough that I ordered some thing off of an infomercial to try out. We'll see how that goes. I cut back on the pain meds because I'm so tired. Like right now.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Well, I spent about 6 hours in the emergency room yesterday. It was loads of fun. I bent over to pick up a sock and my back went out on me. I managed to get to the floor without falling and onto my back. Then I was just there. Somehow I managed after twenty minutes to get myself from the laundry room to the kitchen, a distance of less than 15 feet. I had to use a broom to knock the phone off the hook to call Jeff. Yep, no one was home. Jody, my brother-in-law was out in the shop so Jeff called him to come help me. Of course I only had on a shirt and my underwear. Oh and one sock. He helped my get some shorts on and got my other sock. Anyway, we finally got to the emergency room, because I could not get up on my own, Jeff cut a piece of plywood to get me to the truck. There they took x-rays and 6 shots of steroids and pain killers. I still really hurt when we left and right now my leg is numb, but Lortab and muscle relaxers are helping today. I guess no more basketball this season :-(

Monday, December 7, 2009

It is December 7th. So. In 1941, it became a day that was to live in infamy. I t brought us to the aid of the Allies in Europe. It was a day, that despite it's horror and grief, brought great relief to Winston Churchill and the nation of Great Britain. It was a war we did not want to be a part of, but someone else had other plans. World War 2 brought the loss of many American lives, but also brought a nation closer together. We rationed everything from chocolate to rubber, silk to steel. We grew victory gardens ad sold war bonds. What has happened to our nation since then. We are greatly divided, and a house divided will not stand. No one can argue that.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Well, I'm just waiting on the meat to brown for my chili, so thought I'd sit down and post a little. My main reason for this blog is really just to start getting some sort of structure in my day. If I can sit down a few minutes to do this, then I know I can take the time for things that are more important. So why is it we put off the important things? They are usually so essential to a happy and healthy life. So I'm going to see how this all works out. Okay so far.

We finally played our game against the freshman last night. It was fun. Most of them are new to basketball, so we were able to play a little more relaxed than we usually would have. Which turned out to be a good thing, since there were only five of us. No subs at all. The freshman on the other hand have enough players to scrimmage against themselves. They have ten. We managed to win and no one fouled out, that would have left us with only four. Playing ball has made think about missing the Tulsa Marathon. Could I have run it? I know I run much harder in basketball games, and usually end up rolling around on the floor fighting for a loose ball. I am also not shy about charging into someone to get to the basket. I don't know. I think I will run the OKC marathon regardless.

I got an email from a friend today who lives in Trinidad. She let me know it was 31 degrees there. I replied and let her know that it was 31 degrees here in Oklahoma as well, but that the water for the chickens was froze here and probably not for chickens in Trinidad. A least I hope not.

So kind of a rambling today. I think the meat is ready for chili, so I'll go.

Friday, December 4, 2009

When I woke up, it was a bone chilling 16 degrees out. Yikes!! I really don't mind the cold so much, but around here the wind makes it so much worse. Fortunately, as I look out my window right now, it seems to be only a slight breeze. I guess the thing is, I really like snow to go along with the cold. Another thing about around here is that even when we do get snow, it is usually gone in a day and then we just have mud. This just makes me look forward to snowboarding even more! I'm not very good at it and I tend to be very cautious about it, remember, I question whether or not I am getting too old for this sort of think. I do love it however. Especially since it took me 10 years to finally learn how to do it.

So today is pretty boring stuff. Tabitha needs a cardigan or two for school so I'll brave the Christmas shopper to find her some. Can't wait to get fifteen different Christmas songs stuck in my head. UGH! Then maybe I'll get some lunch. Then it's laundry and Friday cleaning.

Tomorrow will be more fun. After church we have basketball games. Our game against the freshman was moved to then. Oughta be fun! The choir is singing special music tomorrow as well. "Elijah" has been quite fun this year. Very challenging and most of the time I feel like I need to be with the basses or tenors, but I guess I'll stick with alto.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

I heard this on the radio this morning, "Once is a mistake, but if you continue to do it, it is a decision." They were talking about Tiger Woods and his seemingly uncontrollable desire to sleep with women other than his wife. Now that whole story is a blog on it's own, but I'll not dwell on it except to say, he's an adulterer plain and simple. No matter the reason. Whether she's not living up to her wifely duties as he sees it, maybe she's not a very nice person to live with. Whatever.

So on to better things to talk about. I had my CFK class this morning. These three kids in this class are a hoot! They are in a special class because of religious reasons. For issues of modesty, they do not work out with the opposite sex (other than family members). Now, this is not why they are a hoot. No, they are just three really funny kids. The youngest is 7 and is, well, my favorite. I try not to have favorites in class, and she doesn't get any special treatment, but she's too cute and too funny!

I'm still deciding on what to do when I grow up. I did buy some yarn and knitting needles the other day. They have just reinforce my thoughts that microbiology may be the easier route to go, but I'll give it a real try again.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

As you may or may not know, I Crossfit. Now I am far from being a fire breather, and for the last 5 months I haven't even taken a match out of the box (back injury). None the less, I love to Crossfit. Yesterday the posted WOD (workout of the day) at CFOKC was 10 thrusters/1 sumo deadlift high pull, then 9/2, 8/3, and so one until you reached 1/10. The weight for women was 65#. Before the whole back thing, 65# would have been no problem. It might have been slow, but it was doable. I knew after 5 months off and the back still not 100% (80% might be pushing it) that 65# was out of the question, I also figured I had better cut the numbers as well. So I started at 5/1 and worked to 1/5 with 35#. I finished in less than 2 minutes. I would hope so, that was only fifteen reps of each. Anyway, I thought I was going to die. Sad, isn't it. Well, I did recover fairly quickly but this morning my back and my legs are letting me know, "You did Crossfit!" Now the back isn't hurt, just sore, but tonight I have a basketball game to play. Against a bunch of college freshman. Yes, I am old enough to be their mother!

So, am I too old for this? Not yet. At least not mentally. I'm having fun. I think the back is getting better and I hope to run the 1/2 marathon in OKC this April. I'll let you know tomorrow if I am too old!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Now that we no longer home school, I have a little extra time on my hands. I've been contemplating what to do with it. Self-improvement seems to be the only way to go. Being near perfect, it will be a challenge, but one I feel I am up to ;o)

I've really only looked at a couple of things and they are miles apart. First I've looked into going back to school. I have my associates degree and several extra hours with an emphasis in science. I had planned to teach biology, but several things came about, one of which was homeschooling, so I never finished it. I really don't want to teach anymore, but with the classes I have already taken, it seems like a waste to not go into some sort of science field. I was thinking along the lines of registered dietitian. Maybe not exactly that because there really is a lot to it and I'm not sure I want to go that long.

The second thing I've looked at doing is, like I said, miles away from pursuing a degree. Knitting! I've always thought it would be fun to do. There would be a sense of accomplishment when you are finished with a project. It may also be more rewarding in other ways.

So microbiology and human anatomy classes along with some organic chemistry, or knit one, purl one? Looking at it that way, science may be easier!

Monday, November 30, 2009

So, yesterday I began a new website for our family. I can barely keep up with this so why start a website? Well, Tabitha needs two computer courses in order to graduate and we decided web design would be one of them. We are starting out with Google Sites. From there we will move on to something more complicated, I hope.

Today I decided to do a little bit of clothes shopping. For those of you who don't know, I would rather run bamboo stakes under my nails. I actually found somethings that I liked and that fit!! I may even go again this week.

A little suggestion for anyone wanting to see a great movie. Go see "Blindside". Jeff and I went last week and loved it. I love football and it was a bit of a chick flick, so it was great!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Well, I think we've finally decided that we've had enough of home schooling. Tab will be a senior this year and wants to go. Elijah will be in 2nd and I think I need him to go. When I started this 8 years ago, I envisioned a much greater level of learning than we have achieved. Tabitha was in the gifted class, Elijah wasn't even thought of. The first year went quite well. It was just Tabitha and me. We went on field trips, studied many subject. We had bulletin boards and a great classroom that Jeff had remodeled for us. Then a great surprise! He came in October, in the second year of homeschooling. Nothing has been the same since. As a baby he never slept. He took 20 minute power naps around the clock. He cried if you didn't hold him and he always wanted to eat. UGH! I kept thinking that when he was older it would change. Well, 6.5 years later it really hasn't, except that now I'm trying to teach him too. Both of my children are incredibly smart. Not just saying that either. Like I said, she was in the gifted program in public school. Elijah can read at least at a 6th grade level, probably higher. He can do some simple multiplication. He's in first grade. I think we have all just grown tired of it. We all need some time away from one another, Tabitha needs more prodding and Elijah needs to learn to mind other adults. So I think it's time to try something new.